Inside the Phillies with MLB.com beat writer Todd Zolecki

Rollins Could Be Back Sunday

Jimmy Rollins can run again, and he could be back in the Phillies lineup Sunday.

Rollins, who has not played since Sept. 8 because of a strained right hamstring, participated in a simulated game yesterday with Greg Dobbs at Citizens Bank Park. Rollins said before tonight’s game against the Mets that he got three hits against right-hander Vance Worley and left-hander Mike Zagurski. He ran the bases and said he felt fine.

Charlie Manuel said he has targeted Sunday for Rollins’ return. If it happens, Rollins would get seven games worth of at-bats to get ready for the postseason. The Phillies entered Friday with a six-game lead over the Braves in the National League East with nine games to play.

“My first game will be a speed adjustment,” Rollins said. “Every time you get back you’re like, this game is pretty fast. It’s like when Chase (Utley) was gone. The first day you get a headache. You’re head is just spinning. Baseball is baseball, but it’s like, golly, things are moving fast. Then you’re fine after that.”

It is uncertain if Manuel will use Rollins as a pinch-hitter Friday or Saturday.

Asked if he could run to second if he hit a ball into the gap, Rollins said he could.

Asked if he could steal a base, he said he could.

“Yeah,” he said. “But would I try? No.”

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4 Comments

It seems strange to say, but maybe Rollins’ return doesn’t mean all that much. They’ve gone on this big winning streak without him, and they don’t lose anything defensively with Valdez at SS. It will be nice to have him back, but seriously, what has he done this season?

Should Jimmy Rollins take over the leadoff spot when he gets back? Probably not.
Should he be in the lineup when he is healthy? Absolutely. The guy has too many clutch moments in his history to be sitting on the bench.

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